The Portland daily press., 1887-01-13
LOCAN'S ECONOMY.
Life In Washington on an Insuffient
Income.

Washington Corr. Boston Transcript
General Logan was plain man and one
whose contempt for pretentious appearances
was almost morbid. He could not bring
himself to live beyond his means at any
time. The question of taking house often
came up long before the general bought his
house here. But he would not run the risk
Of debt by living in style he could not.af-
ford
When no bought his horses few years
ago 1t was matter of economy In several
ways. 1t would be a saving in time and
strength in the wear and tear of going about
on foot and in the street cars, and in the end
would cost no more than the cab and car
rage hire. But there were various econo-
mics to offset the horses. The general and
his wife remained at their boarding house
several years longer, cramped for room, and
getting on with all sorts of makeshift de-
vices in order to put the best foot forward.
1t goes without saying that Mrs. Logan's re-
ceptions were popular and attended by hosts
of visitors. Everybody making senatorial
calls were sure to go to see Mrs. Logan.
Her parlor-for she had but the one parlor-
was always crowded. 1t held an astonish-
ing number of visitors. Sometimes a few
found outlet in the little hall It.was,tle
only way, for--the- adjoining room was the
general $ Office most of the time, and back
room was their sleeping chamber. These
were all they had for a dozen years or more.
Every Thursday the morning was opened by
Mrs. Logan in getting the parlor ready for
the AFTERNOON reception. The problem of
making big room out of small one
was. worked out every Thursday. Ev-
cry inch of space was made available and
every defect so far as possible was corrected
Her knack was brought to bear and her in
genulty put to the fullest test in order to
make her palor presentable in size and at
traction. She could not afford to serve re-
ireshments, but no one of the hundreds call
ing seemed to think Of any hospitality other
-than Mrs. Logan's hearty welcome Fortu-
nateiy the general and his wife were of one
mind on the matter of living within their
means. As much as Mrs. Logan desired
home, she waited patiently until the
way seemed clear to buy one without EN-
barrassment, Though so much of her time
mas been given to. the public, she is
domestic woman and fond of doing with her
own hands the many things housekeepers
delight In doing. Gen. Logan was singularly
dependent on home life, its comforts and in
huences. Neither could chang up on peg
even Tor the shortest time. A room, with
Mrs. Logan, a chair and trunk, would have
the air OF being furnished. l do not know
that her adaptability was greater than his.
have seen them when very busy, and to
save time, lunch from a trunk serving as a
table to hold the tray ON which the meal was
sent up from the dining room. The table
would be covered with books or used for a
writing desk; and the quickest way was the
shortest, SO they drew their chairs up on
either side and hlnched from the trunk. They
had very little time alone together; there
were people to see them early and late, and
at all hours. have known Gen. Logan to
encounter three or four at the foot Of the
stairs, when going down to his breakfast A
morning seldom passed without an applica-
ton for some favor or help being on hand
bright and early. Twelve O'Clock at night
often found some visitor still lingering in
the Logan rooms. Very few men could work
with so many about them and with such FREE
quent Interruptions, and most women would
lose their heads in the midst of constant dis
fractions. When Gen. Logan decided to
write his book, it was plain to him that he
must have little time to call his own, and a
place not belonging to the public. | think
this, more than anything else, made him feel
the necessity of having house.